Empowered & Out

Jonathan Barbe
  • 5.0 (2)
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Empowered & Out is the podcast for anyone who wants a career that feels aligned, meaningful, and authentic. Hosted by career purpose and confidence coach Jonathan Barbe, each episode explores confidence, identity, and self-worth at work through coaching insights and candid conversations with leaders and change-makers redefining success. Rooted in LGBTQ+ lived experience and open to everyone, this podcast supports listeners navigating burnout, career transitions, toxic workplaces, and the pressure to mask who they are. Whether you’re rebuilding confidence, seeking clarity, or ready to show up more fully at work, Empowered & Out is here to help — without apology.

  1. 3D AGO

    You’re Not Late: Coming Out Later and Rebuilding Confidence at Work

    What happens when you stop living on autopilot… and finally tell yourself the truth? In this episode of Empowered & Out, Coach Jon sits down with Mark Dembo — business leader, executive education professional at Cornell University, coach, and co-host of Coming Inside Out — to talk about the chapter so many people live quietly: coming out later in life, and what that changes in your confidence, leadership, and day-to-day experience at work. Mark shares what shifted internally before anything changed externally, why “authenticity” can’t be a checkbox, and how vulnerability can make you a stronger leader without turning your workplace into therapy hour. We also get into imposter syndrome in LGBTQ+ spaces, the pressure to “prove” confidence by coming out, and why community isn’t optional — it’s foundational. If you’ve ever felt like you’re behind, late, or “too much” for wanting a career where you don’t have to edit yourself… this one lands in your chest. Ready for support?  Book a free call with Coach Jon https://calendly.com/jmbcoachingllc/discovery-call  And if you want a quick starting point, DM “ALIGN” to @jmbcoachingllc and you’ll get a simple next step for this week. 💬🏳️‍🌈 Podcast chapters (timestamps based on transcript) ⏱️00:00 — Welcome + season theme: visibility, authenticity, and unmasking01:10 — Today’s topic: coming out later in life and what shifts at work02:05 — Meet Mark Dembo + his leadership/corporate lens03:10 — Energy check-in: “There’s a lot going on… especially in our community”06:10 — Decompression and joy (Olympics, rest, permission to unplug)08:20 — “What did coming out change internally?” (the mirror moment)11:25 — What got easier vs what got harder (family, guilt, people-pleasing)13:55 — How authenticity + vulnerability changed Mark’s leadership18:10 — Vulnerability without “therapy hour” at work20:55 — Where leaders get authenticity wrong (checkbox culture)23:10 — Boundaries: what to share vs what to keep private at work29:40 — Pressure to come out to “prove confidence” + pacing your story41:05 — Integrating truth into professional identity (later-in-life lens)42:55 — Small steps that create momentum (signals, conversations, leverage)46:45 — Imposter syndrome in LGBTQ+ spaces: what fuels self-doubt55:40 — Community as bedrock: why you can’t do this alone01:00:00 — Building community from zero (online groups, interest-based meetups)01:07:20 — Ideal workplace: psychological safety01:14:20 — Rapid fire (hand-holding in NYC, comfort show, theme song, podcast chaos)01:21:20 — One move to build confidence while coming out later01:22:40 — Coach Jon closing message + CTA (DM “ALIGN”, book a free call)

    1h 8m

  2. FEB 24

    Queer Leadership, Inclusive AI, and Burnout Recovery with Dr. Steve Yacovelli

    In this episode of Empowered & Out, Coach Jon sits down with Dr. Steve Yacovelli (aka The Gay Leadership Dude) for a powerful conversation about what leadership looks like right now—especially for LGBTQ+ professionals navigating workplace change, performative allyship, burnout, and the rise of AI. Steve brings decades of experience in leadership development, organizational change, belonging, and learning strategy (including work with organizations like Disney and IBM). He breaks down what queer leaders often get wrong about authenticity, what they uniquely bring to the table, and how to lead with context without losing yourself. You’ll also hear an eye-opening conversation about using AI as a leadership tool (not a replacement for human judgment), where people overcomplicate it, and the biggest mistakes people make when using AI at work. Plus, Steve shares practical burnout warning signs, resilience strategies, and advice for coaches, consultants, and thought leaders sitting on ideas they haven’t launched yet. This episode is honest, insightful, funny, and full of real-world takeaways for anyone who wants to lead more effectively, communicate with more courage, and build a career that actually fits who they are. If you’ve ever felt like you had to shrink to succeed, this conversation is for you. If this episode sparked something in you and you’re ready to rebuild confidence, get clearer on your purpose, or make more aligned career moves, book a discovery call with Coach Jon: https://calendly.com/jmbcoachingllc/discovery-call Chapters: 00:00 Intro | 03:24 Queer leadership + authenticity | 09:12 AI as a leadership tool | 13:48 Biggest AI mistake (“rip and read”) | 16:11 Inclusion vs. corporate theater | 23:20 Gen Z + business case for inclusion | 32:29 Burnout warning signs | 34:45 3 resilience strategies | 42:45 Going virtual + business pivot | 51:02 Author/speaker/thought leader journey | 01:10:25 Final actionable advice

    1h 6m

  3. FEB 17

    Visibility Is a Strategy, Not a Personality

    In this episode of Empowered & Out, Coach Jon sits down with Ryan M. McCarthy for a sharp, honest, and surprisingly funny conversation about radical authenticity, visibility as strategy, and what it really takes to stay human inside high-pressure work cultures. 🧠✨ Ryan shares what it means to “translate yourself” across cultures and power structures, how identity can feel like a mask we’re constantly updating, and why reading the room isn’t the same thing as shrinking. They also get real about corporate toxicity, layoffs, dignity, boundaries, and the brutal reality of today’s job market—especially in big tech and AI-adjacent work. 😮‍💨💼 If you’ve been editing yourself to survive at work, this one lands. And Ryan leaves listeners with one simple, subtle action you can take this week to reclaim more of who you are—without putting a target on your back. 🌈✅ Chapters00:00 Welcome to Empowered & Out + season theme (visibility & authenticity)00:31 Coach Jon’s mission + discovery call CTA01:10 Ryan McCarthy intro: radical authenticity + high-stakes leadership + “translation”02:30 Energy check-in (Ryan’s 7/10… after a rough start)04:23 What radical authenticity looks like on inconvenient days05:10 Coming out at 14 (and why it felt like compulsion + relief)10:08 Authenticity vs. oversharing (context + knowing your audience)12:06 “Read the room” without masking yourself14:24 France story: conservative context, gay rights convo, and visibility timing19:48 Translation as a life skill: identity, masks, reinvention24:08 Returning to U.S. corporate norms after France (culture shock + job struggle)28:39 The current job market: networking, silence, and corporate “ghosting”32:46 Toxicity at work: leadership, layoffs, and the cost of staying40:48 PIPs, hiring freezes, and why “dignity intact” matters47:07 When the pay doesn’t match the pressure (and choosing your health)53:18 “Too much / too weird / too queer”: why wording reveals culture55:22 Integrity + boundaries after disruption (and refusing “professional grief”)01:01:06 When you can’t afford to leave: the hard truth + compassion01:08:23 Resilience vs harm: the signs it’s time to cut something loose01:10:42 Rapid fire fun 🎬🚿🎧01:15:03 One small action this week to reclaim yourself (the “rainbow heart” move) 🌈01:17:00 Ryan’s upcoming book: The New Meta + job market help offer01:17:41 Coach Jon wrap + how to connect Reach out to Coach Jon here - https://linktr.ee/empoweredandout

    1h 13m

  4. FEB 10

    The Hidden Cost of Hiding: Burnout, Brain Health, and Being Queer at Work

    What does it really cost to keep editing yourself at work? In this episode of Empowered & Out, host Jonathan Barbe sits down with Dr. Ty McKinney (Calgary, Alberta) to talk about the brain-and-body toll of staying “less than fully you” on the job — especially for LGBTQ+ professionals. Dr. Ty lives at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, leadership, and queer entrepreneurship, and he breaks down burnout in a way you can actually feel and understand: stress hormones, cognitive overload, emotional exhaustion, and the long-term health impacts that pile up when authenticity becomes a performance. 00:00 Welcome + episode focus01:58 Energy check-in to set the tone04:25 The extra “burnout weight” many queer professionals carry07:57 Burnout broken down: the 3-part model12:30 Stress hormones and focus (why productivity drops)16:30 Burnout vs a rough week: how to tell the difference18:59 Expressive suppression + why masking compounds stress22:38 Gen Z at work: vulnerability, voice, and burnout trends27:59 What companies lose: retention, presenteeism, performance31:56 Authenticity without the “free-for-all” (healthy boundaries)44:38 What the smartest leaders do differently01:10:17 One doable change this week + your powerful close If you’ve ever felt exhausted from code-switching, masking, or shrinking at work — this one is for you. Connect with Dr. Ty + learn about his upcoming expressive suppression workshop (ahead of Pride Month): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tytheneuroguy/ Work with Coach Jon/Jonathan / coaching: https://linktr.ee/empoweredandout Reminder: You deserve a career that doesn’t require you to disappear to succeed. #EmpoweredAndOut #BurnoutRecovery #AuthenticLeadership #Neuroscience #MentalHealthAtWork

    1h 4m

  5. FEB 4

    Queer Time, Becoming, and the Courage to Stay Visible

    Queer Time, Becoming, and the Courage to Stay Visible — with Colin Belcourt What does it mean to live in the in-between? In this expansive and deeply honest episode of Empowered & Out, Jonathan sits down with writer and former HR/DEI leader Colin Belcourt, author of the forthcoming memoir The Blue Hour Gospel—a lyrical, fragmented exploration of queer time, self-erasure, survival, and the slow work of becoming whole. Together, they unpack what it means to move through careers and communities while constantly editing yourself, how queer lives resist neat timelines, and why authenticity is less about perfect endings and more about learning how to stay. Colin shares how therapy helped him recognize patterns of self-erasure, why he rejected traditional memoir structure in favor of fragments, and how chosen family, queer spirituality, and music playlists became acts of resistance and repair. The conversation weaves through generational divides, visibility politics, body image, belonging, faith, and the quiet courage it takes to stop shrinking—at work and in life. If you’ve ever wondered:✨ Why your career path doesn’t look linear✨ How to stop performing safety✨ What “home” really means✨ Or how to honor who you’re still becoming This episode is for you.

    1h 13m

  6. JAN 28

    Reinventing at 50: Travel, Beauty & Building a Life That Feels Aligned | Emmanuel Denizot

    What happens when you reach midlife and realize there’s more inside you waiting to be expressed? In this episode of Empowered & Out, Jonathan sits down with Emmanuel Denizot — a longtime film and television subtitler who spent over 25 years translating stories across cultures before choosing to rewrite his own. After turning 50, Emmanuel stepped into a bold pivot, launching Partant, a series of intimate, culture-centered weekend experiences designed to foster authentic connection, curiosity, and slow living in European cities. Together, they explore what it truly means to align your work with your values, why beauty and creativity are powerful tools for healing and connection, and how taking imperfect action builds confidence — especially later in life. Emmanuel opens up about navigating fear, perfectionism, introversion, and the courage it takes to put yourself back out there after decades in one career. This conversation is a reminder that reinvention doesn’t have an expiration date — and that authenticity, presence, and curiosity can reshape how we work, travel, and connect with each other. If you’ve ever felt called to slow down, reconnect with your purpose, or trust yourself enough to try something new, this episode will resonate deeply. Chapters  00:00 Welcome to Empowered & Out + Season Theme: Visibility & Authenticity01:30 Meeting Emmanuel + Energy Check-In03:10 Turning 50 and Questioning What’s Next06:45 Coaching, Reflection & The Power of Slowing Down10:40 Digital Detox, Travel & Reconnecting with Presence13:05 Introducing Partant: Intimate Cultural Weekends17:20 Curiosity, Introversion & Designing Authentic Connection22:05 The “Accidental but Intentional” Experience27:15 Slow Travel, Hidden Cities & Deeper Cultural Access34:10 Beauty, Cinema & Why Atmosphere Matters36:10 Art as Healing and Transformation39:15 Starting Over at 50: Fear, Confidence & Imperfect Action43:00 Introversion, Visibility & Owning Your Voice47:50 Perfectionism, Mindset Shifts & Growth52:00 Final Reflections on Courage, Alignment & Living Authentically

    1h 9m
  7. Authenticity Over Hierarchy: How Gen Z Is Changing Work Culture

    JAN 21

    Authenticity Over Hierarchy: How Gen Z Is Changing Work Culture

    What happens when a Gen Zer walks into a workplace that wasn’t built for them… and decides to remix the whole thing? 👀 In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Zach Conklin — a 3+1 business student at Elon University earning three degrees in four years (casual flex), juggling multiple jobs, entrepreneurial projects, and a front-row seat to how Gen Z is changing the future of work. They get into:✨ Why Gen Z brings an entrepreneurial mindset into every role (not just startups)✨ Redefining success without the comparison spiral✨ Why doing one thing really well beats doing everything halfway✨ Being underestimated for looking young — and how to own your seat at the table✨ AI, adaptability, and why future leaders need to evolve (or get left behind)✨ How to stay authentic while learning how to navigate different spaces It’s honest, funny, thoughtful — and a reminder that you don’t have to follow outdated rules to build a career that actually fits your life. If you’re a Gen Zer figuring it out, a leader trying to understand the next generation, or someone ready to stop shrinking and start building on your own terms — this one’s for you. 🎙️ Until next time — stay empowered, stay out, and keep building your future on your own terms.

    58 min
  8. Leading with Heart: Authenticity, Inclusion & Queer Visibility with Susan Cameron-Jung

    JAN 16

    Leading with Heart: Authenticity, Inclusion & Queer Visibility with Susan Cameron-Jung

    What happens when authenticity isn’t just a buzzword — but a way of leading, parenting, and living? In this powerful episode of Empowered & Out, Jonathan Barbe sits down with Susan Cameron-Jung — a queer leader, foster parent, yogi, and Business Development & Inclusion Manager at Auscare Support in Sydney — for a deeply honest conversation about what it truly means to lead with heart. Susan shares her journey of coming out at 19 in London and building a career across disability, LGBTQIA+, and culturally diverse communities. Together, they explore how intersectionality shapes leadership, why emotional intelligence is a leadership tool (not just a skill), and how inclusion must move beyond policies into everyday practice. They also dive into the realities of queer visibility at work and at home, raising children in a same-sex family, navigating challenging environments with integrity, and using humor, compassion, and self-awareness to build trust across differences. This episode is a reminder that authentic leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about courage, connection, and choosing to show up fully, even when it’s uncomfortable. 🎧 If you’re an LGBTQ+ professional, leader, or ally looking to lead with empathy, build inclusive cultures, and live more authentically — this conversation is for you.

    1h 6m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Empowered & Out is the podcast for anyone who wants a career that feels aligned, meaningful, and authentic. Hosted by career purpose and confidence coach Jonathan Barbe, each episode explores confidence, identity, and self-worth at work through coaching insights and candid conversations with leaders and change-makers redefining success. Rooted in LGBTQ+ lived experience and open to everyone, this podcast supports listeners navigating burnout, career transitions, toxic workplaces, and the pressure to mask who they are. Whether you’re rebuilding confidence, seeking clarity, or ready to show up more fully at work, Empowered & Out is here to help — without apology.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Barbe
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jonathan Barbe
  • Show Website
    Empowered & Out